PALMER, Richard
| Service Numbers: | 617, 19747 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 13 February 1900, 3VBC trained at Langwarrin Camp. 3VBC uniquely wore the khaki Garibaldi Jacket adorned with a bandolier. Their slouch hat brims used the right fold. |
| Last Rank: | Sapper |
| Last Unit: | 15th Field Company Engineers |
| Born: | Ballarat , 27 March 1869 |
| Home Town: | East Fremantle, East Fremantle, Western Australia |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Cooper |
| Died: | myocardial degeneration, Fremantle, Western Australia, 11 August 1946, aged 77 years |
| Cemetery: |
Fremantle Cemetery, Western Australia Section MON A5 gravesite 0104 |
| Memorials: |
Boer War Service
| 1 Oct 1899: | Involvement Private, 617, Victorian Citizen Bushmen | |
|---|---|---|
| 13 Feb 1900: | Enlisted Australian and Colonial Military Forces - Boer War Contingents, Private, 617, 3rd Victorian Bushmans Contingent, 3VBC trained at Langwarrin Camp. 3VBC uniquely wore the khaki Garibaldi Jacket adorned with a bandolier. Their slouch hat brims used the right fold. | |
| 10 Mar 1900: | Embarked 617, Disembarked at Beira on 3/04/1900 after departing Melbourne to join Rhodesian Field Force. First action at Koster River on night of 21/07/1900 where his unit lost 4 KIA and 2 DOW. Nine MIA 3VBC mates later in siege of Elands River. Next at Battle of Rhenosterkop 29/11/1900. Campaigned in OFS, CC, TVL, Rhodesia. RTA Morayshire. Arrived Melbourne 5th June 1901. Discharged 8th June 1901. | |
| 8 Jun 1901: | Discharged Australian and Colonial Military Forces - Boer War Contingents, Trooper, 617, 3rd Victorian Bushmans Contingent, Awarded QSA Medal with CC/OFS/TVL/RHOD/01 clasps. |
World War 1 Service
| 29 Mar 1917: | Enlisted AIF WW1, 19747, 15th Field Company Engineers, He understated his age by four years and omitted his Boer War service to fight on the Western Front. | |
|---|---|---|
| 31 Oct 1917: | Involvement Sapper, 19747, Field Company Engineers, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '5' embarkation_place: Sydney embarkation_ship: HMAT Euripides embarkation_ship_number: A14 public_note: '' | |
| 31 Oct 1917: | Embarked AIF WW1, 19747, 15th Field Company Engineers, Sapper Richard Palmer embarked from Sydney on A14 "Euripides" | |
| 31 Oct 1917: | Embarked Sapper, 19747, Field Company Engineers, HMAT Euripides, Sydney | |
| 22 Apr 1918: | Involvement AIF WW1, 19747, 15th Field Company Engineers | |
| 21 Mar 1919: | Embarked AIF WW1, 19747, 15th Field Company Engineers, Embarked from U.K. to R.T.A. Disembarked at Fremantle on 27 April 1919. | |
| 5 May 1919: | Discharged AIF WW1, 19747, 15th Field Company Engineers, Awarded British War Medal and Victory Medal. |
Richard Palmer and his family.
His granddaughter, Lorna nee Palmer is my mother.
Richard died on mum’s thirteenth birthday in 1946.
Mum remembers him as a tall, sprightly war veteran.
He was born in Ballarat in 1869 and he was cooper by
trade. He was a good horseman. Hence volunteered to
fight in not one but two wars. He was mustered as a
Citizen Bushman on 13 Feb 1900. For he could ride
and shoot from a horse. He had three weeks training.
Then rode through Melbourne as a member of 3VBC.
To board his Boer War Troopship on 10 March 1900.
Nine Victorian Nurses sailed with 3VBC and horses.
Campaigning in Rhodesia, Transvaal, OFS, and CC.
RTA on 5 June 1901 and discharged on 8 June 1901.
He married Eliza Strickland after discharge in 1901.
Their first two children, Richard Jnr (mum’s dad)
and May were born in Ballarat. He migrated to WA
to work as a Swan Brewery cooper. His youngest
child, Fred was born in WA in 1907. Then sadly,
Eliza died from phthisis on 11 Jan 1913 aged 38.
Richard Palmer enlisted again on 29 March 1917.
He had understated his age, then he omitted Boer
War service to enlist again for Great War. Once, he
was attested, at age 48 not 44 as was stated, he
married Eleanor Rose Mullins. Richard was then
a widower with three children. Hence if he is KIA
then Eleanor would get a widow’s pension to raise
his children. SPR Richard Palmer [19747] served
in France in 15th Field Company Engineers, AIF.
RTA on 21 April 1919. He is discharged aged 50 on
28 May 1919. He went back to the Swan Brewery.
His two sons both served in the RAAF in WWII.
Fred, his youngest son, who he named after his
father was killed on 13 Nov 1945. He was in an
RAAF Beaufort which crashed on a Test Flight.
Hence, Richard lost both his first wife Eliza then
his youngest son: LAC Fred Palmer 46793 RAAF.
His oldest son: LAC Richard Palmer 81351 RAAF
(mum's dad) died during an operation in 1951.
Mum's mother, LAC Richard Palmer's wife died
in 1952. Hence mum was an orphan with three
younger siblings at 20. Age of majority was 21.
Her Ex-RAAF son Maurice reactivated the Vice-
Regal Anglo-Boer War Commemoration held at
the South Africa War Memorial in Perth in 2012.
That was on the occasion of the 110th Anglo-
Boer War Peace Treaty Anniversary. It is now
an annual commemoration in Kings Park but
is not always a Vice-Regal Commemoration.
Lest We Forget.
Submitted 23 October 2022 by Maurice Kissane
Biography contributed by Faithe Jones
PALMER. — In loving memory of Richard Palmer, passed away, suddenly, at Fremantle, August 11, fond brother-in-law of Fred and Kate Bell, of Beaconsfield and loving uncle of Carol (Mrs. A. Conlan, of West Leederville) and Violet (Mrs. A. Miguel, of Dwellingup). In God's keeping.
PALMER.-A token of esteem at the passing of a dear old gentleman, sincere friend of Mr. and Mrs. George Gillham.
PALMER. -Passed peacefully away on Sunday. August 11, a fine old friend and gentleman, Father Palmer, sincere pal of Connie. Joss. Maureen and Barry Prosser.
God closed his eyes in well-earned rest.
FUNERAL NOTICES.
PALMER.-The Friends of the late Mr. Richard Palmer, late of the Swan Brewery Co. Ltd., formerly Field Engineers, 1st AI.F., and a South African Veteran, are respectfully informed that his remains will be interred in the Church of England portion of the Fremantle Cemetery, THIS (Tuesday) AFTERNOON at 2.10 o'clock. The Funeral will leave his late residence, 44 Aurelian-street. Palmyra, at 2 p.m.
ARTHUR E. DAVIES AND COMPANY.
TeL L2225. F2177 and B9400.
PALMER.-Prince Lodge No. 342.
U.A.O.D.-The Members of the above and the Order in General, are respect fully invited to attend the Funeral of our late Member, Brother Richard Palmer. which will arrive at the Fremantle Cemetery THIS (Tuesday) AFTERNOON. at 2.10 o'clock. K. REID.
A.D.; G. A. WORTHINGTON. Secretary.
PALMER.---Federated Coopers of Australia (W.A. Branch).-The Members of the above are respectfully invited to attend the Funeral of our late Member, Mr. Richard Palmer, which will arrive at the Fremantle Cemetery THIS (Tuesday) AFTERNOON at 2.10 o'clock. G. T. REEVES, Secretary.
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